Western Conference rumors, news, videos [20+ articles]

Recent Western Conference news, rumors

• NBA Board of Governors approves Orlando 22-team restart plan

ESPN reported 13 Western Conference teams and nine Eastern Conference clubs will participate in the campaign's resumption that is tentatively scheduled for July 31 and that could finish around or on Oct. 12. The NBA Draft Lottery will occur Aug. 25, with the draft set for Oct. 15....2020

At long last, the NBA is back. Well, it will be soon. The league’s board of governors approved a return-to-play plan featuring 22 teams, 13 from the Western Conference, and nine from the East. Only one team–the Portland Trail Blazers–voted against the plan. Sources — NBA approves 22-team format to finish season by 29-1 vote […]
The post Predicting the No. 8 seeds in t...2020

TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 21: Nathan MacKinnon #29 of Team North America celebrates after scoring an overtime goal on Henrik Lundqvist #30 of Team Sweden during the World Cup of Hockey 2016 at Air Canada Centre on September 21, 2016 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. | Photo by Vaughn Ridley/World Cup of Hockey via Getty Images
and How does this affect the Colorado Avalanche? On Thursday, it was report...2020

Towards the end of his NBA career, former Boston Celtics star Cedric Maxwell had the chance to match up with a young Michael Jordan many times. Of course, by then, Maxwell had left Boston and was now in the Western Conference and past his prime. However, despite the experience of facing Jordan one-on-one during his […]
The post Cedric Maxwell criticizes Michael Jordan, argues why LeBron Jame...2020

• The NBA’s Zion Williamson infatuation has peaked and it needs to stop

Recent rumors suggest that the NBA wants New Orleans Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson in the playoffs. As the NBA mulls over possible postseason scenarios, reports claim that all options would include Williamson and the Pelicans no matter what. The Pelicans are currently 10th in the Western Conference. They are 3.5 games behind the no. 8 […]
The post The NBA’s Zion Williamson infatuatio...2020

Andre Burakovsky (95), Valeri Nichushkin (13), and Nazem Kadri (91) celebrate a Burakovsky goal against the Buffalo Sabres in the first period at KeyBank Center. (Feb. 4, 2020) | Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
How did the new acquisitions to the Avalanche roster for the 2019-20 season hold up? The 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs showcased one of the best times to be a Colorado Avalanche fan over ...2020

When it comes to the MVP race between Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James this season, Damian Lillard says that LeBron is his choice. While guesting on ESPN’s “Jalen & Jacoby” show, Dame cited the Lakers’ Western Conference-leading record and LeBron’s impressive stats as reasons why he’s picking The King. LeBron reportedly vowed to “reclaim” his […]...2020

Portland Trail Blazers star point guard Damian Lillard is looking at a proposal that could resume the 2019-20 NBA season this summer and relaunch the team’s playoff hopes. According to the five-time All-Star point guard, the Blazers playing the Western Conference’s first overall seed, the Los Angeles Lakers, in the first round of the NBA […]
The post Damian Lillard claims Blazers...2020

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Western Conference injury and suspension

• Revisiting the 2019 Avalanche off-season acquisition class

Andre Burakovsky (95), Valeri Nichushkin (13), and Nazem Kadri (91) celebrate a Burakovsky goal against the Buffalo Sabres in the first period at KeyBank Center. (Feb. 4, 2020) | Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
How did the new acquisitions to the Avalanche roster for the 2019-20 season hold up? The 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs showcased one of the best times to be a Colorado Avalanche fan over ...2020

Utah Jazz forward Bojan Bogdanovic will undergo a season-ending surgery on his right wrist, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. His full recovery is expected for the start of the 2020-21 season. Bogdanovic averaged 20 points per game for the Jazz, who were the fourth-seed in the Western Conference before the NBA season came to a […]
The post Jazz forward Bojan Bogdanovic to undergo...2020

Photo By John Leyba/The Denver Post via Getty Images
Joe Sakic might be looking to upgrade the goaltending position on Colorado Leading into February’s NHL trade deadline, the Colorado Avalanche were thrown out as a possible destination every time a goalie would wind up in the rumor mill. Everyone from Henrik Lundqvist to Robin Lehner, even Carey Price were connected to the Avs - mostly through...2020

The Memphis Grizzlies are on the upswing with Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. leading the way. The team was in eighth place in the rugged Western Conference standings before the 2019-20 season was suspended due to COVID-19. It was an impressive feat considering most pundits picked the Grizzlies to finish with one of the worst […]
The post One trade the Memphis Grizzlies need to make in the o...2020

The Utah Jazz were in fourth place in the Western Conference standings before the 2019-20 season was suspended due to COVID-19. The team had a record of 41-23 and looked primed to go on a deep postseason run. Shooting guard Donovan Mitchell and center Rudy Gobert each made their first All-Star teams this season. However, […]
The post One trade the Utah Jazz need to make in the offseason appe...2020

The Denver Nuggets were in third place in the Western Conference standings before the 2019-20 season was suspended due to COVID-19. This was impressive considering the team made only 707 triples, putting them in 25th place in the NBA. In today’s league, the Nuggets need to become a more lethal team from beyond the arc […]
The post One trade the Denver Nuggets need to make in the offsea...2020

The Los Angeles Clippers were title contenders in 2019-20 for the first time in franchise history with superstars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George leading the way. The Clips were in second place in the Western Conference standings before the season was suspended due to COVID-19 with an impressive record of 44-20. If the season gets […]
The post One trade the Los Angeles Clippers need to make in...2020

The Utah Jazz were in fourth place in the Western Conference standings before center Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19 and the season was suspended. Shooting guard Donovan Mitchell contracted the virus as well and multiple reports have said the high-flyer is upset with Gobert for how the All-Star big man acted before his positive […]
The post One signing the Utah Jazz need to make in ...2020

The Sacramento Kings were probably going to miss the playoffs if the 2019-20 season didn’t get suspended. The team had a record of just 28-36. They were in the 11th spot in the Western Conference standings. The Kings franchise has the longest playoff drought in the NBA. A Sacramento team hasn’t made the playoffs since […]
The post One signing the Sacramento Kings need to make in ...2020

The Portland Trail Blazers regressed after reaching the Western Conference Finals in 2018-19. Before the 2019-20 campaign was suspended due to COVID-19, the Blazers were in ninth place in the Western Conference standings with a record of 29-37. Pundits expected the Blazers to struggle a little bit since talented big man Jusuf Nurkic was out […]
The post One signing the Portland Trail Blazers...2020

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Western Conference trade, contract, salary rumors

• NBA Board of Governors approves Orlando 22-team restart plan

ESPN reported 13 Western Conference teams and nine Eastern Conference clubs will participate in the campaign's resumption that is tentatively scheduled for July 31 and that could finish around or on Oct. 12. The NBA Draft Lottery will occur Aug. 25, with the draft set for Oct. 15....2020

Andre Burakovsky (95), Valeri Nichushkin (13), and Nazem Kadri (91) celebrate a Burakovsky goal against the Buffalo Sabres in the first period at KeyBank Center. (Feb. 4, 2020) | Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
How did the new acquisitions to the Avalanche roster for the 2019-20 season hold up? The 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs showcased one of the best times to be a Colorado Avalanche fan over ...2020

Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports
and how it affects the Colorado Avalanche This afternoon, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman clarified where the NHL is in terms of logistics for the NHL Playoffs and their Return to Play Protocol. He made concrete some of the rules involving regular season vs. playoffs points, timelines for training camps, and a narrowed-down list of hub city candidates.
The Draft Lottery...2020

The NHLPA has voted in favor of a 24-team playoffs Friday night, the NHL got a lot closer to returning to play when the players association voted in favor of the a proposed new playoff format. This doesn’t guarantee that we will see hockey this summer as the two sides still have a lot to negotiate - chief among them a revenue split and safety measures - but it’s a big step towards getting back on ...2020

How did the predictions hold up? When heading into the start of a new season - whether it be the NHL or any other sport - it’s fun to make prediction. Whether bold or bland, people will prognosticate how they think the season will unfold. What is a lot less fun is re-visiting those predictions to see just how wrong we all were.
We’re going to do just that. Back on October 1st, I posted my predict...2020

Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
On April 17, 2015, the Columbus Blue Jackets announced their AHL affiliate would change from the Springfield Falcons to the Lake Erie Monsters. Within a year, the Monsters were tearing through the Western Conference and headed full steam ahead towards a historical Calder Cup Championship win.
In honor of SB Nations “What If” week, I ponder...2020

Photo By John Leyba/The Denver Post via Getty Images
Joe Sakic might be looking to upgrade the goaltending position on Colorado Leading into February’s NHL trade deadline, the Colorado Avalanche were thrown out as a possible destination every time a goalie would wind up in the rumor mill. Everyone from Henrik Lundqvist to Robin Lehner, even Carey Price were connected to the Avs - mostly through...2020

The Memphis Grizzlies are on the upswing with Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. leading the way. The team was in eighth place in the rugged Western Conference standings before the 2019-20 season was suspended due to COVID-19. It was an impressive feat considering most pundits picked the Grizzlies to finish with one of the worst […]
The post One trade the Memphis Grizzlies need to make in the o...2020

The Utah Jazz were in fourth place in the Western Conference standings before the 2019-20 season was suspended due to COVID-19. The team had a record of 41-23 and looked primed to go on a deep postseason run. Shooting guard Donovan Mitchell and center Rudy Gobert each made their first All-Star teams this season. However, […]
The post One trade the Utah Jazz need to make in the offseason appe...2020

The Denver Nuggets were in third place in the Western Conference standings before the 2019-20 season was suspended due to COVID-19. This was impressive considering the team made only 707 triples, putting them in 25th place in the NBA. In today’s league, the Nuggets need to become a more lethal team from beyond the arc […]
The post One trade the Denver Nuggets need to make in the offsea...2020

Western Conference stats

• Revisiting the 2019 Avalanche off-season acquisition class

Andre Burakovsky (95), Valeri Nichushkin (13), and Nazem Kadri (91) celebrate a Burakovsky goal against the Buffalo Sabres in the first period at KeyBank Center. (Feb. 4, 2020) | Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
How did the new acquisitions to the Avalanche roster for the 2019-20 season hold up? The 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs showcased one of the best times to be a Colorado Avalanche fan over ...2020

When it comes to the MVP race between Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James this season, Damian Lillard says that LeBron is his choice. While guesting on ESPN’s “Jalen & Jacoby” show, Dame cited the Lakers’ Western Conference-leading record and LeBron’s impressive stats as reasons why he’s picking The King. LeBron reportedly vowed to “reclaim” his […]...2020

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
The Avalanche visit Little Ceasars Arena for contest with an old rival.
The Colorado Avalanche look to win their seventh straight game tonight against the struggling Detroit Red Wings. Gone are the days of the heated rivalry that once was. Still, seeing the two jerseys on the ice can cause mass nostalgia. There have been some spats in recent years, but each episode ...2020

• Martin Kaut scores first career NHL in Avalanche win over the Sabres

Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images
The rookie forward is contributing to an Avalanche team riddled with injuries He may only be in the lineup because of injuries to a number of Colorado Avalanche forwards, but Martin Kaut is doing his best to show that he belongs in the NHL. In only his fourth game since being called up from the AHL’s Colorado Eagles, the 20-year old rookie scored hi...2020

Zion Williamson has put the NBA on notice as the league’s latest generational talent, but the New Orleans Pelicans superstar is keeping his eye on the prize from a team perspective, eschewing a desire for individual awards and accolades. The 19-year-old phenom recently sat down for an interview with Rachel Nichols of ESPN. During the chat, Williamson laid out his goals for his rookie season. Even ...2020

Photo by Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images
That and more of this week’s links We’re in the middle of a very busy part of the season, so there were a few transactions in recent weeks by the Columbus Blue Jackets that we haven’t spent much time discussing yet. The Jackets signed extensions with three of their players who were going to be restricted free agents this summer:
Eric Robinson
Date of C...2020

• Colorado Avalanche prospect report: Four goals and six points for Luka Burzan

Photo by Marissa Baecker/Getty Images
Alex Beaucage hit the 60-point plateau! I’m excited for this one, the first edition of the new-look prospect reports. Thank you to everyone who sent in a question! I did have to edit some of the lengthier ones, but I tried my best to keep the full questions in.
General questions (not player-specific) will be answered at the end of the report. If there were ...2020

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Cale Makar’s unbelievable goal helped change the game In search of a new winning streak the Colorado Avalanche hosted their division rival and leader in the St. Louis Blues on a sunny January afternoon. With some timely goals and contributions through the lineup the Avalanche again exerted home ice advantage against the Blues and took away a 5-2 triumph.
The Game
Th...2020

Photo by Chris Tanouye/Getty Images
A monthly look at a few non-Monsters For the past few seasons, the Cannon has completed a Top 25 fan rating of Jackets prospects. It’s easy to rate those prospects playing in Cleveland, but most commenters don’t have a lot of information on prospects who are playing elsewhere. Roll Call is our monthly look at some of the Columbus Blue Jackets non-Monsters pro...2019

Photo by Ben Jackson/NHLI via Getty Images
Coming into Saturday evening’s game, Columbus Blue Jackets starting goaltender and rookie phenom Elvis Merzlikins hadn’t lost a game since January 9th.
He entered the third period poised to post his sixth shutout of the season (and sixth in his last nine games, to boot) after holding down the fort for the first forty minutes against Colorado — but tha...2020

• Maybe we should’ve learned by now not to count out surging Blue Jackets

Photo by Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images
It’s like clockwork. Naysayers (like me sometimes) throw dirt on Blue Jackets, Jackets remind us the season is a marathon. I wanted to title this The Blue Jackets are fun again, but I’ve done that already. That’s the vibe with this team over the past month, as they a ride run of 14 points in 15 games.
Overall, I think I’m finally catching on.
Every y...2020

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Where is Taylor Hall going to be traded? Last night got pretty wacky in a hurry. Shortly before the Colorado Avalanche were set to take on Taylor Hall and the New Jersey Devils, only to have Hall was pulled from the lineup for “precautionary reasons” just before game time. Obviously, speculation ran wild as to whether or not he was on the verge of being traded.
The s...2019

Western Conference rumors, scandals

The NHL has announced that they will postpone all games effective immediately Following the lead of the NBA, the NHL has announced that they will suspend league play, effective immediately. It is a decision that had become unavoidable in order to ensure the health of the league’s players and fans. Expect the AHL and other lower level leagues to follow suit.
NEW YORK (March 12, 2020) – National...2020

Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
How long until we see the Byram’s and the Newhook’s in the Burgundy and Blue? With only five Tuesdays left in the regular season, it’s crunch time around the NHL and there are still plenty of questions that need to be answered by the Avalanche and the rest of league’s 30 teams.
Colorado can’t seem to stay healthy this year. The Avs were already missing three ...2020

The Los Angeles Lakers and star big man Anthony Davis had to be concerned. Davis was seen down on the hardwood in pain during Tuesday night’s game against the New York Knicks after landing hard on his lower back. The likely NBA Defensive Player of the Year was later seen leaving the Staples Center on a bed, leading to speculation that this injury might be serious. Everyone in Los Angeles can now e...2020

For the first time since Kirk Gibson was hitting clutch October home runs and Ronald Reagan was in the White House, the San Antonio Spurs are irrelevant on the broader NBA stage. San Antonio heads into this week’s action with a 10-15 record and is pretty much already out of the Western Conference Playoff race. That has led to us to speculation that a rebuild could be in the cards in San Antonio. N...2019

• Colorado Avalanche Game Day: On the road against the defending champs

Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
The Avalanche look to make a statement against the defending Stanley Cup Champions Who: St. Louis Blues (20-8-6)Where: Enterprise Center - St. Louis, MissouriPuck drop: 6:00 pm MTWatch: Altitude, Sportsnet
Back to their winning ways, the Colorado Avalanche travel to St. Louis tonight to take on the Blues in a matchup for first place in the Western Conference. Separa...2019

The Milwaukee Bucks find themselves in the midst of an absurd 15-game winning streak. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Co. are 21-3 on the season, matching the Los Angeles Lakers for the best record in the NBA. So it’s not terribly shocking these two teams are among the favorites to play in the NBA Finals. We are, however, a tad surprised that the Los Angeles Clippers join their roommates at the Staples ...2019

MONTREAL, QC - DECEMBER 5: Goalies Pavel Francouz #39 and Philipp Grubauer #31 of the Colorado Avalanche celebrate after defeating the Montreal Canadiens in the NHL game at the Bell Centre on December 5, 2019 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. | Photo by Francois Lacasse/NHLI via Getty Images
and their sights set on first in the West. The Avs
According to the standings this morning, following back-to...2019